Austin Sports

Austin is full of healthy and active people and Austin’s LGBTQ community is no different. Whether you’re an athlete looking to play in an organized league or just want to hang out with like-minded individuals, there’s a place for you in one of Austin’s LGBTQ sports leagues, groups or clubs. We’ve organized our annual sports fair since 2010 and we’ve seen the sports community grow in that time.

BASKETBALL

Austin Gay Basketball League

The Austin Gay Basketball League was created to provide a welcoming environment to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who are interested in playing basketball, building friendships, and giving back to Austin’s community. AGBL promotes an athletic environment free of discrimination. LGBT-friendly basketball players are encouraged to come out and join as well. Beginners are always welcome!

Winter & Summer Seasons

The AGBL hosts both a winter season, with games on Friday nights, starting in January and a summer season, with games on Thursday nights, starting in June. Both seasons run between 6 to 8 weeks. Each season features three divisions based on player skill level — recreational, competitive and advanced. All divisions are co-ed. All new players are required to attend a rating session to assess their skills and get assigned to the appropriate division. Cost to register is $60-$65, depending on when you sign up.

Other Opportunities

The league hosts open play of pick up games between seasons at the First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center. The gymnasium is located upstairs. Check out the league’s Facebook events page for upcoming open play nights, which are typically divisions specific. Cost for open play is $2 which is donated back to the church for the use of their space. Additionally, the league also hosts skills sessions throughout the year.

The league also hosts several social events throughout the year, including a uniform social before the seasons start where players pick up their t-shirts and meet their teams as well as post-game social after each seasons’ games.

Volunteer

The AGBL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and welcome any volunteers or donations. Volunteers can help with game night operations and assisting in social events.

CYCLING

Queer Ride

Started in Austin in 2011, Queer Ride is a weekly inclusive social ride that aims to be the most fun, inclusive, care-free, no-drop social ride for queer folks and allies.

Weekly Wednesday Night Ride

Meet up every Wednesday at 7 PM at the South gates of the Texas State Capitol on 11th St facing Congress. Wheels down at 7:30 PM for a 10-15 mile ride.

Queer Ride rides AS traffic and NOT AGAINST it. Riders avoid sidewalks as much as possible, stop at red lights, yield the right of way, and don’t block extra lanes at intersections. Riders share the road with all vehicles.

Austin Gay Flag Football League

The Capitals

The league’s travel team, the Austin Capitals, plays in tournaments around the country such as the National Gay Flag Football League’s Gay Bowl where the Capital brought home the championship from Washington, D.C. in 2016 and second place from Boston in 2017. The Capitals also brought home second place from Chicago’s Pride Bowl X in 2017.

The Austin Capitals after winning the national championship in the Open B Division at Gay Bowl XVI in Washington, D.C. October 2016. Photo credit: Steven Rhea Delgado

Volunteer

The ATXGBL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are appreciated.

Volleyball Austin

Chase is the Founder and Creative Director of therepubliq.com, Host and Executive Producer of OutCast Austin, an award-winning LGBT weekly radio program on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin. In 2011, he was named the Critics Pick for 'Most Gaybiquitous' in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin. In 2012, CultureMap Austin named him one of Austin's Top LGBT bloggers and he received the AGLCC's Chamber Award for Social Media Diva.

Austin Eats: Late Night

Have you been out for a late night … you know … when you tell yourself, “one more drink” and the next thing you know, you hear them calling last call? Or maybe you catch a show at Bass or the Paramount and after the third curtain you come out to realize it’s been four hours. Or, my favorite, when your musician friend tells you to come check out his band and you find out they don’t go on for another two hours.

Chances are at some point you will want to get something to eat. But what if you’re not in the mood for IHOP and ***gasp*** don’t want to wait in the drive-thru line for Whataburger? Luckily, Austin has enough late night dining options so you can avoid the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity or decide between the fries and onion rings with your burger (but if you have to, always go with the rings).

Located next door to Waterloo Records at the corner of 6th Street and Lamar, this mid-century mod design hotspot is on homage to the classic diners of the ’50s with a uniquely Austin flavor. Serving chef-inspired farm-to-table, comfort food with seasonal organic produce. Breakfast served all day. Gluten-free menu available.

888 Pan Asian Restaurant

Located in the Willow Creek shopping center, off Oltorf, 888 Pan Asian has, as its name implies, a bit of many things Asian — Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese. It’s located in a strip mall, so don’t expect a high-class dining experience. There’s an extensive menu, it’s relatively cheap, and it’s your best, if not only, option if you’re craving a bowl of phở after 10 PM. Vegetarian options available.

Chinatown’s downtown location is a staple of late night dining in Austin … especially being just a block from 4th Street. Food and service can be hit or miss, depending on your experience and expectations, but as long as you can tolerate karaoke with your meal, Chinatown can help you with your late night Chinese fix.

Located in the heart of the Warehouse District, Frank has an offering of hot dogs and artisan sausages that will satisfy just about any carnivorous craving … and enough of a gluten-free and vegan offering that you can bring that non-meat eater along. Be sure to try the new specials each week. Gluten-free and vegan menu available.

While the original location on the eponymous street, along with the location in Westlake, are not open 24 hours, there are four other Kerbey Lane locations in Austin to choose from if you want to get your fix for Kerbey queso. For those not familiar with Kerbey Lane, think old-school diner with an Austin flavor. Get your breakfast basics with the Kerbey Lane Combo — two eggs, two half size pancakes, fruit, bacon & all-natural sausage. Got a craving for comfort foods? Try the bacon-wrapped meatloaf or the Chicken fried steak. Breakfast served all day. Gluten-free and vegan menu available.

Magnolia Cafe is an Austin institution. It started out as Omelettry West at its Lake Austin Blvd location back in 1979 and was rebranded Magnolia Cafe in 1987. In 1988, it expanded to its location on South Congress Avenue. Both locations get really busy, especially after last call on the weekends as the bar crowd begins the mass exodus from downtown. Just put your name on the list and wait. Serving sizes are larger than most and the pancakes are HUGE, so order accordingly. Breakfast served all day. Gluten-free and vegan menu available.

This unassuming spot off South First Street features a panaderia that serves up breakfast tacos — all day, all night long. Grab a few to go or order from the menu and take a seat if you’re looking for a heartier meal — huevos rancheros or migas. After your meal, grab a few pastries from the case for the next morning … or maybe just later that night.

If you’re craving pizza after a night out, head down to SOCO, aka South Congress, for Home Slice’s take-out place, More Home Slice. Located in the building next door to their dine-in location (next to Stag), you can grab a slice of pizza until 3 AM on the weekends. There is a limited selection … usually cheese, pepperoni, Margherita and two specialty pizzas … but these are their best sellers and after one bite, you’ll understand why.

While the infamous list of things you shouldn’t do is gone, Star Seeds Cafe, albeit a few changes in management and a remodel later, is still around as vague reminder of the Austin of times long gone. A favorite hot spot for locals and visitors in the know, Star Seeds can be a bit intimidating, especially at night … given its location in the shadow of the I-35 upper deck. Don’t expect anything fancy, but it’s a solid option when you’re craving a chicken fried steak or cheese burger at 4 AM. Late night, you’ll most likely run in to service industry folks coming off their shifts downtown and students with its proximity to the UT campus.

Austinites love their tacos and El Taquito is one reason why. Located off East Riverside, this place is open late … like really late … 2-3 AM during the weekdays and til 4 AM on weekends. So after you’re done downtown, head on over to Riverside Drive. It can be hard to find at night, especially if you’re not familiar with the area. Coming from I-35, turn right on to Old East Riverside Drive across from Baby Acapulco’s, just past the intersection for Lakeshore Drive. Saturday nights get pretty busy after last call, so expect a wait, but it will be worth satisfying that taco craving.

What do you do if it’s 1 AM and you’re craving Indian food? Head down to campus and the Austin location of Teji’s. Located on the south end of The Drag, it fills in the Indian niche in the cluster of Asian restaurants between MLK and 21st Street. And given it’s location across from the University of Texas campus, most customers tend to be students. Prices are very reasonable given the large portions. Give yourself more time if you order anything from the tandoor, especially if it’s busy. Vegetarian options available.

Located just a couple blocks away from the capitol building, the Texas Chili Parlor has been serving Austin since 1976. And there’s a reason why it’s endured for so long. During the day, it can get pretty busy, as it fills up with state workers from the Capitol Complex, and even more so when the legislature is in session. While it’s pretty much your only late-night option in the area … service can be hit-or-miss … their chili is pretty spot on.

Austin Karaoke

While most of the LGBTQ bars and clubs in Austin are best known for their dance nights on Friday and Saturdays; these hotspots are open throughout the week … and in most cases … every day of the week. It’s during these mid-week nights that you discover the trinity of Austin’s weekday bar scene — drag, poker and KARAOKE!

While karaoke in the LGBTQ scene has been around forever and every gay bar has hosted a karaoke night at one point or another, the current lineup of karaoke nights and hosts seemed to have found their respective niches within the community. Karaoke in Austin has a loyal corps of followers, so chances are you’ll see familiar faces and hear some familiar voices when you hit up one of these karaoke nights.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable performing, they’re usually pretty fun to hang out, giving these clubs more of a neighborhood bar feel. “Anytime someone with no confidence or who is too afraid to sing finally gets up there and just goes for it! That makes me so happy,” says Danny Pintauro, who hosts karaoke at Rain on 4th, adding “it’s about having fun up on stage, whether you sound like Bocelli or a dying cat, I don’t care! I just care that you’re having an amazing time!”

Currently, four of Austin’s LGBTQ bars host a karaoke night — Highland, The Iron Bear, Rain on 4th and Sellers Underground. All four are located downtown, in or around the Warehouse District. If you don’t go out often or are visiting Austin, don’t be disappointed that there is no one out when you show up at the start of karaoke night. Austin is a late night town, so things usually pick up until a couple hours in. Be patient.

MONDAY

Martinis & Karaoke with Danny Pintauro

Kick off the week with Martini Monday down in the Warehouse District at Rain on 4th as 80s child TV star Danny Pintauro from Who’s the Boss? hosts karaoke every Monday night from 10 PM til close. Grab a $6 you-call-it martini from your favorite bartender for some liquid courage and to help you pick a song. “My crowd is fun, silly, and dedicated!” says Danny. “We have a mix of singers, people who just enjoy listening to the singers, tourists, and random fun people who are passing by and hear the music!”

You can sign up by either going through his catalog, old-school-style with four thick binders to browse through. He hasn’t updated them in a bit so new songs may not be listed. Chances are that he has the song. Just write it on a slip and ask him when hand him your selection. You can also download the Songbooks Online app and explore Danny’s extensive database of songs from the convenience of your phone. Plus, you can even send in your requests through the app. Use show code: XPT593

WEDNESDAY

Planet Fabulous Karaoke with Murrah Noble

Just up the street from the Warehouse District at The Iron Bear, Murrah Noble and Planet Fabulous Karaoke hosts the first of two karaoke nights, on Wednesdays from 9:30 PM to 2 AM. When asked to describe her typical crowd, Murrah says it’s “anything BUT typical. My shows attract the best singers, including the theatre folks and the Gay Men’s Chorus, and every time I think one event will become my favorite, then someone turns around and tops it!”

SUNDAY

Late Night Karaoke with Diamond Karaoke

Highland Lounge in the Warehouse District kicks off Sunday Funday karaoke, right after their weekly Texas Hold’em tournament, every Sunday night from 9 PM til close. Hosted by Diamond Karaoke, this is the first of two LGBTQ karaoke spots on Sunday nights. Diamond Karaoke offers up “68,500 different songs, from pop to country to standards to musicals and much more” to choose from. You can also browse and requests songs through the SongbookDB app (for Android users only). There is also a mobile-friendly web version if you’re an iPhone user or just don’t want to download the app.

Planet Fabulous Karaoke with Murrah Noble

Just down the street from the Highland Lounge, Murrah hosts the second of her two karaoke nights at The Iron Bear to help you close out your weekend every Sunday from 9:30 PM to close. It’s also an excellent time to take advantage of that Sunday Funday day drinking-enabled courage and just let loose. Murrah tells us “the best ones are ALWAYS when interpretive dance is included, or a bunch of drunk hot guys suddenly channel the Backstreet Boys … or the Spice Girls!”

Details

You're probably gonna need a martini to recover from the weekend, so grab your friends and join us for #MartiniMonday and some C. B. T. !
Professor CupCake, PhDD is back

Details

You’re probably gonna need a martini to recover from the weekend, so grab your friends and join us for #MartiniMonday and some C. B. T. !

Professor CupCake, PhDD is back with a new overhead projector to bring you CUPCAKE BAR TRIVIA in The Lounge along with your favorite TA (and Happy Hour bartender) Bobby Cook at Rain on 4th every Monday from 7-9 PM.

There are prizes to be won … and plenty of tricks up her sleeve …… remember class starts at 7 PM SHARP!

Details

Please join us for our first Lesbians Who Tech & Allies networking event of 2019. Kick off the new year with your Lesbians Who Tech squad!
This venue is accessible to

Details

Please join us for our first Lesbians Who Tech & Allies networking event of 2019. Kick off the new year with your Lesbians Who Tech squad!

This venue is accessible to wheelchair users with ADA compliant entrance and restrooms. No ID Required. Read our Code of Conduct: Lesbianswhotech.org/code-of-conduct

About Lesbians Who Tech + Allies

Lesbians Who Tech + Allies is the largest LGBTQ technology community in the world — committed to visibility, intersectionality, and changing the face of technology. The 40,000 non-binary, LGBTQ women, queer women of color (and our allies) in tech who make up our community come from every background and live in over 40+ cities worldwide. Over 5,000 women and non-binary people in tech attend our San Francisco Summit, making us the largest professional LGBTQ event in the world and the largest event for women in tech in California. Our programmatic work includes a coding scholarship for non-binary and LGBTQ women called the Edie Windsor Coding Scholarship Fund, a mentoring program, Bring a Lesbian to Work Day, and a leadership program — #LWTSQUAD — focused on supporting our members as they move into senior leadership roles and onto corporate boards. We’re not just creating communities; we’re pushing the tech sector to be more inclusive and changing the face of the entire tech industry.

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Join us on Saturday evening of the 26th of January for our Gala Dinner at the JW Marriott Austin.
The Human Rights Campaign Austin 2018 Gala Dinner, Auction, and Afterparty brings

Details

Join us on Saturday evening of the 26th of January for our Gala Dinner at the JW Marriott Austin.

The Human Rights Campaign Austin 2018 Gala Dinner, Auction, and Afterparty brings together hundreds of HRC members, partners, friends, family and allies for an evening of celebration and inspiration in Austin, TX. Featuring a cocktail reception, an extensive silent auction, an elegant dinner, live entertainment, and thought-provoking speakers and guests, the event consistently attracts some of the state’s top figures in politics and entertainment.

The evening attire is black tie.

Want to be more involved? You can get more information on sponsorships, tickets, becoming a table captain, volunteering, and the silent auction at www.hrcatx.org

Details

You're probably gonna need a martini to recover from the weekend, so grab your friends and join us for #MartiniMonday and some C. B. T. !
Professor CupCake, PhDD is back

Details

You’re probably gonna need a martini to recover from the weekend, so grab your friends and join us for #MartiniMonday and some C. B. T. !

Professor CupCake, PhDD is back with a new overhead projector to bring you CUPCAKE BAR TRIVIA in The Lounge along with your favorite TA (and Happy Hour bartender) Bobby Cook at Rain on 4th every Monday from 7-9 PM.

There are prizes to be won … and plenty of tricks up her sleeve …… remember class starts at 7 PM SHARP!